Timing right for new Gaston Arts Council director

Published: Monday, March 18, 2013 at 10:24 AM.

The new executive director of the Gaston Arts Council hails from one of the world’s meccas of artistic expression and appreciation.

Yet Kim George knows New York City isn’t in a bubble, and often pulls its talent from across the country.

“One of the things I’ve found in my research is a lot of the world-renowned artists in different genres are actually from smaller towns,” said George, who started her new job Monday.

George’s hiring for the part-time, salaried position followed a national search that the Arts Council began in December. She replaces Juliette Shelley, who left to pursue other arts opportunities in Gastonia.

George’s tenure begins as the council is beginning a new direction, with a five-year strategic plan aimed at expanding its reach in the community.

“The timing of bringing Kim on board couldn’t be better,” said Arts Council Chairman Marty Hutchins. “Finding an experienced nonprofit leader with excellent qualifications, like Kim, to guide us through these changes is very important.”

George was most recently the associate/acting director of the Harlem Arts Alliance in her native New York City. She helped build the organization’s presence, oversaw programming, produced events, and fostered partnerships with businesses and organizations.

The new executive director of the Gaston Arts Council hails from one of the world’s meccas of artistic expression and appreciation.

Yet Kim George knows New York City isn’t in a bubble, and often pulls its talent from across the country.

“One of the things I’ve found in my research is a lot of the world-renowned artists in different genres are actually from smaller towns,” said George, who started her new job Monday.

George’s hiring for the part-time, salaried position followed a national search that the Arts Council began in December. She replaces Juliette Shelley, who left to pursue other arts opportunities in Gastonia.

George’s tenure begins as the council is beginning a new direction, with a five-year strategic plan aimed at expanding its reach in the community.

“The timing of bringing Kim on board couldn’t be better,” said Arts Council Chairman Marty Hutchins. “Finding an experienced nonprofit leader with excellent qualifications, like Kim, to guide us through these changes is very important.”

George was most recently the associate/acting director of the Harlem Arts Alliance in her native New York City. She helped build the organization’s presence, oversaw programming, produced events, and fostered partnerships with businesses and organizations.

She developed an innovative membership program and substantially increased membership through the Internet and social media.

Described as a “seasoned nonprofit executive” by the Arts Council board, George didn’t grow up with an arts background. But in her career, she learned to understand the bridge between the arts and culture communities and the business world.

“Business is my background,” she said. “I got bit by the arts bug.”

George said she hopes to increase the visibility of the arts in Gaston County by sustaining what’s already been achieved and building upon that “awesome legacy.” There are individuals and organizations the council needs to reach out to, to secure more support, she said.

“I feel that the arts are a part of the vitality of any community,” she said. “Without it, not just the creative lifeline, but the economic lifeline is not as viable.”

The Gaston Arts Council is a state-affiliated group that supports the arts and other connected agencies. Through its new strategic plan, it will continue to expand Arts in Education programs for school groups, and restructure its grants program to make it more accessible to arts organizations.

Community events such as Gaston Homegrown will also be expanded. Pops in the Park, for example, will be held at an earlier date on June 1, each year at the Gaston County Park in Dallas.

The Arts Council was previously based at Unity Place in downtown Gastonia, but it is now searching for a permanent home elsewhere. Its offices have been temporarily located at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

You can reach Michael Barrett at 704-869-1826 or twitter.com/GazetteMike.